Fluorescent lighting transformer mounting



G. M. scHRovEDER ET AL 2,912,210

FLUORESCENT LIGHTING TRANSFORMER MOUNTING Nov. 10, 1959 3 Sheets-Sheet 1Filed Nov. 1, 1954 50 56 U C) /jz Nov. 10, 1959 v G. M. scHRoEDER E1- AL2,912,210

FLuoREscENT LIGHTmG TRANSFORMER MOUNTING Filed Nov. 1, 1954 3lSheets-Sheet 2 --5 F155 Ov O i| 1 I il r i* i H li I 1 Il :I i ll l ill r' l l I: I|1| l: l l|| l I I: |e Q i: I@ l' '1, ai: i Wl il: :I lImi!! TT' 2g l FIC- 1% Nov. 10, 1959 G. M. scHRoEDER ETAL 2,912,210

FLUORESCENT LIGHTING TRANSFORMER MOUNTING Filed Nov. 1, 1954 3sheets-sheet a.

WM m., y fz/@ United States Pateflit O .FLUORESCENT LIGHTING TRANSFORMEMOUNTING George M. Schroeder, Waukegan, Ill., and Albert A.

Schroeder, Bristol, Wis.

This invention relates to fluorescent lighting transformer mountings.

In the art of fluorescent lighting, which lincludes socalled Neon signs,fluorescent tubes are illuminated by current provided by transformerscommonly known as fluorescent lighting transformers. Such fluorescentlighting fixtures or so-called signs, may include a sheet metal casingadequately supported upon frameworkv within which or on which one ormore and sometimes numerous fluorescent transformers are mounted. It hasbeen the customary practice heretofore to mount these iluorescenttransformers upon inner surfaces of the side or bottom walls of thesheet metalA housing or upon angle iron framework inside the housing bymeans of screws or other fastening elements. However, a serious problemhas been encountered in the use of such fluorescent transformermountings and this problem has resided in the fact thatuorescentlighting fixtures or signs are exposed to the weather andthemounting or fastening means employed for fastening the transformers inposition of use corrode and rust with the result that when suchfluorescent transformers need repair or replacement, as is ratherfrequent, it is diilicult for the workman to remove the transformersfrom their mountings because of the corrosion of the screws and boltsused in mounting them in position for use, and this dilhculty isenhancedby the fact that the workmen commonly have to work on a ladder asubstantial distance from the ground in loosening, removing andreplacing the transformers.

An object of the present invention is to overcome the diilicultiesheretofore experienced in the use of prior fluorescent transformermountings and to provide an im` proved fluorescent transformer mountingwhich is so constructed and arranged that the fluorescent transformermay be mounted in position for use in a fluorescent sign by means of thenew transformer mounting without the necessity for removing any corrodedor rusted bolts or v like fastening elements and with a minimum of timeand effort and with a minimum of danger to the workman.

Another object ofthe invention is to provide a new and improvedfluorescent transformer mounting which is relatively simple andinexpensive in construction and which may be used to mount a fluorescenttransformer in position of use with a minimum of effort and with aminimum requirement of skill on the part of the workman.

Other and further objects of the present invention will be apparent fromthe following description and claims and are illustrated in theaccompanying drawings which, by way of illustration, show preferredembodiments of the present invention and the principles thereof and whatwe 'now consider to be the best mode in which we have contemplatedapplying these principles. Other embodiments of the invention embodyingthe same of equivalent principles may be used and structural changes maybe,

made as desired by those skilled in the art without departing from thepresent invention. Y

In thedrawings: -f

m 2,912,210 4 Patented Nov. -1.0,

Fig. 1 is a top plan view of a fluorescent trnasformr mounted inposition of use by means of the new transformer mounting structure;

Fig. 2 is a side elevational view of the new transformer mountingconstruction shown in Fig.l 1;

Fig. 3 is a top plan view of the new transformer mounting constructionshown in Figs. l, 2;

Fig. 4 is a side elevational View thereof;

Fig. 5 is a transverse sectional view, on line 5--5 in Fig. 3,illustrating the construction of certain parts of the new transformermounting structure shown in Figs. 1 to 4, inclusive, including Athe.latching bar embodied therein; g

Fig. 6 is an enlarged sectional view of certain parts of theconstruction shown in Figs.'1to 5, inclusive;

Fig. 7 is a detailed view of certain parts of the construction shown inFigs. 1 to inclusive;

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary elevational view of a modification of theinvention;

Fig. 9 is a sectional plan view on line 9 9 in Fig. 8;

Fig. 10 is a vertical sectional view on line 10-10 in Fig. 9; Y

A typical fluorescent transformer unit is indicated at 19 in thedrawings, and may be mounted in any desired position within the housingor body of a sign as, for

example, upon a horizontally extending angle iron support 17.

The present invention is particularly concerned with the provision of anovel mounting structure used for mounting iluorescent transformers,such as 19, in position of use in or upon a sign unit.

The fluorescent transformer 19 embodies a housing 20 having oppositelyextending supporting legs 21V and 23.

attached thereto, the supporting vleg 21 having a hori-A zontallyextending foot portion 22 at the bottom thereof and vthe support leg 23having a horizontally extending:

'plate 26 of the transformer mounting above the angle iron 17 and inspaced relationship thereto.

The new transformer mounting unit 25 has an upwardly and reversely bentinwardly extending flange 29 formed at one end thereof (Figs. 1-4) andat its other end the base plate 26 has a pair of vertically upwardlyextending ears 30 and 31 formed thereon at. oppostesides of the baseplate 26. The upstanding ear 30 has a transverse opening 32 formertherein and the upstanding ear 31 has a transverse opening 33 formedtherein, as shown in Figs. 5 and 6, the two openings 32 and 33`beingregistered in horizontal alignment for reasons which will be explainedpresently.

The new transformer mounting unit 2S includes a latch bar 36 which isadapted to be slidably projected through the registered openings 32 and33 in the upstanding ears 30 and 31, respectively, and this latch bar 36has a pair of spaced notches or recesses 35 and 34 formed in the bottomsurface thereof which are adopted to register with and to receiveupstanding ears or ilanges 34 formed on the upper surface of the baseplate 26.

The new mounting structure 25 also Aincludes an arm or extension 37,permanently secured, as by spot welding, to the base plate 26 on thebottom surface thereof.

bolt 39 having a wing head 41 at the top thereof.A

The base plate 26 has a rowof aligned centrally arranged'opening's 43formed therein and exterdiglongi:

tudinally thereof and the base plate 26 is adapted to be mounted inposition of use by inserting bolts 28 through the openings 43 and intocorresponding openings in the supporting member 17 the bolts 28 havingnuts 29 mounted thereon below the supporting member 17.

In the practice of the present invention the base plate 26 may bemounted in position and used in or upon the sign unit 1G, as, forexample, on one of the horizontally extending angle iron supports 17,which may be suitably fastened thereto by inserting the bolts 28 throughthe openings 43 formed in the base plate 26 and threading the nuts 29 onthe bolts 28.

When the base plate is so mounted on the support 17 the supporting feet27 thereon support it in position of use upon and in spaced relation tothe supporting member 17, and in order to mount the transformer unit 19in position of use, and upon the base plate 26, it is merely necessaryto insert the horizontally extending foot 22 of the supporting leg 21 ofthe transformer unit 19 under the flange 29 of the base plate 26 and toposition the foot 24 of the supporting leg 23 upon the other end portionof the base plate 26, as shown in Figs. l and 2. The latch bar 36 maythen be inserted into position of use above the horizontally extendingfoot 24 of the supporting leg 23 of the transformer unit 19 and throughthe registered openings 32 and 33 in the upstanding ears 3G and 31,respectively, of the base plate 26 (Figs. 5 7). When the parts are soarranged the latch bar 36 may be secured or locked in position of use byinserting the wing head bolt 39-41 into the tapped opening 38 in the arm37 of the base plate 36 and screwing it into position of use therein bymeans of the wing head 41 thereon.

When the parts are so arranged the transformer unit 19 is securely andfirmly mounted in position of use in the sign unit, by the coaction ofthe flange 29 and the latch bar 36, while, at the same time beingreadily removable, therefrom, as will now be explained.

In order to remove the transformer unit 19 from its position in the signunit, for repair or replacement, it is merely necessary for the Workmanto unscrew the bolt 39 by manipulating its wing head 4l so as toWithdraw it from the tapped opening 38 in the arm 37 of the base plate26, whereupon the latch bar 36 may be manually slid out of the openings32 and 33 in the opstanding ears 30 and 31 of the base plate 26, therebypermitting the horizontally extending foot 24 of the supporting leg 23of the transformer to be raised above the base plate 26 and the foot 22of the supporting leg 21 to be withdrawn from under the llange 29 of thebase plate 26, and the transformer unit 19 thus removed from the signunit for repair or replacement.

It will he noted that in the use of the new transformer mounting unit 25there is only one fastening bolt employed, namely, the wing head bolt39-41 and this may be made of brass or similar non-corrosive material toprevent it from becoming corroded in the tapped opening 38 of the arm 37of the base plate 26. Hence, in the practice of the present invention,there are no ferrous metal bolts necessary or required to support thetransformer unit 19 in position of use or to corrode when exposed to theweather with resultant difficulty in removing them, as has been the casein the prior art.

A modification of the invention is illustrated in Figs. 8-10, inclusive,of the drawings, and in this form of the invention those parts embodiedtherein which are similar to corresponding parts in the form of theinvention illustrated in Figs. l to 7 inclusive, have been given thesame reference numerals followed by the additional and distinguishingreference character (1.

Thus, the form of the invention shown in Figs. 8-10 inclusive, issimilar to the form of the invention shown in Figs. 1 to ll, inclusive,but differs therefrom in that rivets 44 are mounted in the base plate26a and each of these rivets 44 has a head portion 45 which is adaptedto be projected into the enlarged portion d6 of a bayonet slot formed inthe latch bar 36a, each bayonet slot also having a restricted throatportion 47.

The foot portion 24a of the supporting leg 23a has ya series oflaterally spaced notches or recesses 54 formed therein (Figs. 9 and 10)to receive the rivets 44 and thus enable the said foot portion 24a to'oe slipped into position of use on the base plate 26a, as shown.

ln the use of the form of the invention shown in Figs. 8 to l0,inclusive of the drawings, the foot portion 24a is inserted upon andparallel to the upper surface of the base plate 26a with the rivets 44received in the slots 54 in supporting foot 24a, whereupon the latch bar36a is inserted into position of use with the heads 45 of the rivets 44being received in the enlarged head portions 46 of the bayonet slotsA56-47. The latch bar 36a is then inserted or slid laterally intoposition so that the rivets 44 extend into the restricted throatportions 47 of the bayonet slots id-47 with the heads 45 of the rivets44 overlying the upper surface of the latch bar 25a. When the latch bar25a is so positioned the locking wing head bolt 39a is inserted throughthe opening 40a in the latch bar 36a and inserted into and through thetapped opening 36a in the arm 37a which is welded or otherwise securedto the base plate 26al at the bottom thereof.

It will be seen from the foregoing description, considered inconjunction with the accompanying drawings that the present invention,provides a new and improved iluorescent transformer mounting having thedesirable advantages and characteristics and accomplishing its intendedobjects including those hereinbefore pointed out and others which areinherent in the invention.

I claim:

l. A supporting device for a transformer or other relatively heavy unithaving a pair of supporting feet projecting in opposite directions onthe same side thereof, said supporting device comprising an elongatedbase plate, a ange member mounted on one end portion of said base plateand projecting upwardlj therefrom at an acute angle opening toward theother end portion of said base plate in position to receive one of saidfeet therebelow when said unit is mounted in predetermined position onsaid base plate, and means for holding the other of said feet on saidbase plate, said means comprising an elongated latching bar, and meansfor releasably yholding said latching bar on said base in overlyingrelation to said other of said feet, said last named means comprising aplurality of holding elements projecting from said base in spacedrelation to each other and slidably engaged with said bar, said holdingelements further abuttingly engaging said latching bar when saidlatching bar is in a predetermined position with respect thereto tomaintain said latching bar in engagement with said other foot, and athreaded member mounted on said base and engaged with said bar to retainsaid bar in said predetermined position.

2. A supporting device for a transformer or other relatively heavy unithaving a pair or" supporting feet projecting in opposite directions onthe same side thereof, said supporting device comprising an elongatedbase plate having a supporting face positioned to supportingly receivesaid supporting feet in predetermined position thereon, a ange membermounted on one end portion of said base in position to overlie one ofsaid feet when said feet are disposed in said predetermined position,and means for holding the other of said Jfeet on said base when saidfeet are disposed in said predetermined position, said means comprisingan elongated bar, and means for holding said bar on said base inoverlying relation to said other one of said feet, said last named meanscomprising a plurality of holding elements projecting from said base inspaced relation to each other and slidably engaged with said bar, saidholding elements further abuttingly engaging said latching bar when saidlatching bar is in a predetermined position with respect thereto tomaintain said latching bar in engagement with said plate in position tooverlie one of said feet,l and means on the other end portion of saidbase plate for hoiding the other of said feet, said means comprising apair of ears mounted on said base and projecting therefrom in spacedrelation to each other, an elongated bar slidabiy mounted in said earssaid ears engaging said elongated bar to maintain said bar in engagementwith said other foot, and threaded yclamping means mounted on said baseand engaged with said bar in abutting relation therewith to hold saidbar in said ears.

. thereon, a flange member mounted on one end portion 4. A supportingdevice for a transformer or other relalanother side of said base, and anelongated bar mounted on `and extending through an aperture in said earinto engagement with said threaded take-up means in position to overliesaid other foot.

5. A supporting device for a transformer or lother relatively heavy unithaving a pair of supporting feet, said supporting device comprising anelongated base plate, a

flange member mounted on one end portion of said base plate in positionto overlie one of said feet, and means on the other end portion of saidbase plate for holding the other of said feet, said means comprising apair of ears mounted on said base and projecting therefrom in spacedrelation to each other in position to be disposed on opposite sides ofsaid other foot, an elongated bar mounted on said ears, and take-upmeans mounted on said base and engaged with said bar on the oppositeside of one of said ears from the other of said ears.

6. A supporting device for a transformer or other relatively heavy unithaving a pair of supporting feet, said supporting device comprising anelongated base plate, a flange member mounted on one end portion of saidbase plate in position to overlie one of said feet, and means on theother end portion of said base plate for holding the other of said feet,saidl means Icomprising an elongated bar having bayonet-slot meanstherein,v

holding means mounted on said other end portion of said base andprojecting therefrom in position to extend through said slot means inoverlying holding relation to said bar, and threaded take-up meansmounted on said base in spaced relation to said holding means and inposition to clampingly engage said bar.

7. A supporting device for a transformer `or other relatively heavy unithaving a pair of supporting feet projecting in opposite directions onthe same side thereof, said supporting device comprising an elongatedbase plate having a supporting face positioned to supportingly receivesaid-supporting feet in predetermined position of said base in positionto overlie one of said feet when said feet are disposed in saidpredetermined position, and means for holding the other of said feet onsaid base when said feet are disposed in said predetermined position,said means comprising a plurality ot elongated holding elementsprojecting upwardly from said base in spaced relation to each other,each of said elongated holding elements having an enlarged head on theupper end portion thereof, an elongated bar slidaoly mounted on saidbase in position wherein .said elongated holding elements projecttherethrough with said heads disposed inA overlying retaining relationto said bar, and threaded take-up means mounted on said base andclampingly engaged with one end portion of said bar.

8. A supporting device for a transformer or other relatively heavy unithaving a pair of supporting feet, said supporting device comprising anelongated base plate member having a flange extending from one endportion thereof in position to overlie one of said feet, and means onthe other end portion of said base plate member for holding the other ofsaid feet, said means comprising an elongated latching bar member, aplurality of holding elements `aiiixed to and projecting from one ofsaid base plate and latching bar members into sliding engagement withthe other of said members, said holding elements further engaging saidother member in abutting relationship when said members are in apredetermined position relative to each other to maintain said latchingbar member in engagement with said other foot, and threaded clampingmeans mounted on said base plate member and engaging said latching barmember to retain said members in said predetermined position.

9. A supporting device for a transformer or other relatively heavy unithaving a pair of supporting feet, said supporting device lcomprising anelongated base plate member having a ange extending from one end portionthereof in position to overlie one of said feet, and means on the otherend portion ofsaid base plate member for holding the other of said feet,said means comprising an elongated latching bar member, a plurality ofholding elements afixed to and projecting from one of said base plateand latching bar members into sliding engagement with the other `oitsaid members, said holding elements further engaging said other memberin abutting relationship when said members are in a predeterminedposition relative to each lother to maintain said latching bar member inengagement with said other toot, and

clamping means removably mounted on said base plateA member andextending through said latching barfmember in abutting relationtherewith to retain said members in said predetermined position.

References Cited in the tile o f this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,059,321 Smith Apr. 15, 1913l 2,538,083 Coffrey Ian. 16, 19,512,548,993 Mierzwa Apr. 17, 1951 2,562,553 Howenstine July 31, 19512,575,254 Blangrund Nov. 13, 1951 2,641,815 Leighton June 16, 1953FOREIGN PATENTS 7,034 Great Britain of 1915

